You have 24 hours: here's why speed matters

Your tenant is not only talking to you

Tenants relocating to a new city usually shortlist several homes and request the ones they like most. The first landlord to say yes very often wins the booking, and the others receive a cancellation.

This isn't a reason to panic; it's a reason to be reachable. A request answered in two hours converts dramatically better than one answered in twenty. (Deciding what to answer is the easy part, see reading a tenant profile.)

What the clock affects

Two metrics feed your search ranking, and it helps to keep them straight: your response rate (did you answer requests in time, accept or decline both count) and your acceptance rate (how often your answer is yes). The clock affects:

• This booking. After 24 hours the request expires and the tenant's payment authorization is released.
• Your response and acceptance rates. An expired request damages both, it's the only outcome with no upside. Fast responders appear higher in search results.
• Your reviews and repeat bookings. A smooth first interaction sets the tone for the whole tenancy.

Silence is the only wrong answer. Declining quickly with a reason is fine, it tells the algorithm you're an active, engaged landlord. Letting requests expire tells it the opposite.

Three habits of fast responders

1. Turn on push and email notifications in your landlord dashboard, both, so nothing slips through.
2. Decide your criteria in advance. Minimum stay, acceptable move-in window, tenant profile. With criteria ready, most decisions take two minutes.
3. Keep your calendar up to date. Most declined requests happen because the dates were never really available. An accurate calendar means every request you get is one you can say yes to.